Exploring the Kelpies Information for Teachers the Kelpies
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Exploring the Kelpies Information for teachers The Kelpies The Kelpies are magnificent steel monuments that together form the largest equine sculptures in the world and Scotland’s biggest public art works. Towering above the beautiful green space of The Helix in Falkirk, they were officially opened to the public in April 2014 and have won multiple awards in recognition of their spectacular design and innovative engineering. In their short lifetime they have established themselves as one of Scotland’s adored iconic structures. Exploring the Kelpies - Information for teachers. This pack contains information about the site and what we offer for schools. Contents: • Teacher’s background information sheets (5) relating to: Mythology of the Kelpie The Industrial Revolution in Scotland The Canals and the Clydesdales Andy Scott – The Artist and the Inspiration The construction Each information sheet includes some suggested Experiences and Outcomes for Early, First and Second levels that link with the educational tour and suggested follow-up school-based activities. • Pupil’s information sheets relating to the same areas as above. • The Kelpies Trails 1 and 2. These are “treasure hunt” type activities, where the children are asked to follow a trail around the Kelpie Plaza area. Trail 1 is suitable for Early level, with 8 locations to find to tick off. Trail 2 is suitable for First / Second level and asks pupils to find 5 locations, each with a challenge which may be completed on site or back at school. • Pupil fun activity sheets: word search, dot-to-dot and colouring sheet. Teachers Learning Resources Supporting Learning and Teaching Timeline A visit to The Kelpies is particularly appropriate to teachers working on class topics such as: 2006 Andy Scott makes first initial • Scottish mythology sketches for The Kelpies. • The Industrial Revolution in Scotland 2007 • Canals Big Lottery Fund awards • Local landmarks and monuments grant of £25 million to The Helix project. The Curriculum for Excellence aspires to motivate and 2007 challenge pupils through a wide range of varied learning Maquettes or ‘Kelpie Foals’ experiences. Site visits have a particular role to play in joining up created. learning outcomes across the curriculum. A visit and use of the supporting materials, will: 2008 1:100 scale maquettes Develop successful learners. created as working tools for By challenging pupils to consider how life has changed for the design process and wind- people. It will help them to think critically about evidence and tunnel testing. arrive at their own conclusions. 2009 - 2012 Develop confident individuals. Design of the foundations, locks and landscape. Pupils will learn about aspects of their community’s past, develop an understanding of social changes, establish some Summer 2012 of their own values and communicate their views on different Work starts on The Helix historical and social issues. project. February 2013 Develop responsible citizens. First of 150 lorry-loads of It will help to increase pupils’ social and historical knowledge material arrives on site. and understanding and encourage greater respect for their own historic and built environment. April 2013 Foundations poured Develop effective contributors June 2013 By broadening pupils’ knowledge and understanding through Construction of investigative, creative and critical thinking. The Kelpies begins. Nov 2013 First official ‘Helix Day’ marked and ‘Topping out’ ceremony held. April 2014 International launch of The Kelpies. Numerous awards follow. October 2015 Helix Visitor Centre opens to the public. Teachers Learning Resources Mythology of the Kelpies Supporting The mythical Kelpie is a supernatural shape-shifting creature Learning and that features in several Scots myths and legends. It lived in the water and had the power to shape shift into different forms. As Teaching Kelpies often took the form of horses, they are sometimes known as ‘water horses.’ It was said that if anyone dared to try and Pupils may listen and respond mount one of these beautiful horse-like creatures, it would rear to the Kelpie myth and relate up and plunge into the water taking the rider to certain death. the story to what they know about other mythological Nessie, the fabled Loch Ness monster, is perhaps the best- known creatures such as mermaids, example of a Kelpie – whether you believe she exists or not! water sprites and unicorns. LIT 0-02a / ENG 0-03 / LIT 0-04a LIT 1-02a / LIT 1-04a LIT 2-02a / LIT 2-04a Pupils may extend their knowledge of mythology by exploring other myths and legends from Scotland and beyond. LIT 0-07a / LIT 0-16a / ENG 0-17a LIT 1-07a LIT 2-07a The original plan for The Kelpies was strongly influenced by Pupils may wish to recall this myth, but the creator Andy Scott is eager to stress that his these stories by retelling in artistic vision for them was not based on a legend. His own vision their own words, making for The Kelpies is one that is very much grounded in the recent drawings or models or history of the Falkirk area. expressing their ideas However, the sculptures do share something of through music or drama. their shape-shifting qualities as, when viewed in different lights and weather conditions The Kelpies appear to change mood and appearance. Above illustration of a Kelpie by ORUPSIA. www.deviantart.com/orupsia/art/Kelpie-462731711 Teachers Learning Resources The Industrial Revolution in Scotland Supporting Falkirk was at the hub of The Industrial Revolution in the United Learning and Kingdom largely due to the opening of The Carron Company iron works in 1759 on the banks of the River Carron. The company Teaching prospered through its development and production of a new short-range and short-barrelled naval cannon, the carronade. Pupils may draw comparisons between modern and nineteenth century methods of travel and the transportation of goods. They might consider the challenges of being entirely dependent upon horsepower. SOC 0-01a / SOC 0-04a / SOC 0-07a SOC 1-02a SOC 2-01a Pupils may be able to carry out research within members of their family who may be able to remember horse- drawn vehicles. SOC 1-03a SOC 1-04a SOC 2-03a / SOC 2-04a The Carron Company was one of the largest iron works in Europe through the nineteenth century. At this time other heavy Pupils will have opportunities industries such as coal mining, brickworks, paper-making and to extend their vocabulary brewing flourished in this part of Scotland. associated with the topics e.g. myth, barge, lock gate, Andy Scott’s inspiration for the The Kelpies is twofold: firstly towpath etc. the Clydesdale horses which were so vital for the transportation of goods during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and LIT 0-14a secondly the industries that once flourished in Scotland. The LIT 1-14a/ LIT 1-15a / giant heads are made of stainless steel, representing the fact ENG 1-30a / ENG 1-31a that Falkirk was once the centre of the iron industry in Scotland. LIT 2-14a / LIT 2-15a / ENG2-30a / ENG 2-31a Teachers Learning Resources The Canals and the Clydesdales Supporting The Forth and Clyde Canal was the first major canal to run Learning and through the Falkirk area and was opened in 1790. It was followed in 1822 by the Union Canal which provided a new route Teaching between Edinburgh and Falkirk. Both canals were essential for transporting goods during the Industrial Revolution and were Pupils may explore the crucial for developing local industry in Falkirk. The area had features of a canal and a large number of ironworks, brick-making facilities and coal compare these to features mines, all of which required heavy goods. Transporting these of a river, thinking about the goods was made easier by the use of horse-drawn barges on advantages for transportation the canals. of goods i.e. straight and on the level (usually!) Older pupils may consider the consequences of the development of railways and the impact on society. SOC 1-07a SOC 2-07a Pupils may also consider why the new section of canal was built so close to the River Carron. (This is due to the River Carron being tidal.) Further study might explore some of the challenges associated with building / working on the canal. SOC 2-07a The horses used for pulling the barges were mostly Clydesdales, a breed native to Scotland. These mighty animals are known for their power and strength and are ideally suited to hauling heavy loads. The canals were also used to transport people, with the trip from Falkirk to Glasgow in the early 1800s taking around five and a half hours. By 1848, the railways arrived and the passenger service on the canals was withdrawn. Teachers Learning Resources Andy Scott – The Artist and the Inspiration Supporting The artist behind The Kelpies is Scottish sculptor Andy Learning and Scott, whose work can be seen across the globe. A graduate of the Glasgow School of Art, Scott has become known Teaching worldwide for his large-scale public artworks. Many of Scott’s sculptures feature horses, and so his art is sometimes termed Pupils may wish to explore ‘equitecture.’ One of the most famous examples being The online to find some of Andy Heavy Horse (1997), located next to the M8 near Glasgow. Scott’s sculptures. They may be able to describe some common features of his work. Pupils may be encouraged to express what they like / dislike about his work and give reasons why. EXA 0-05a EXA 1-05a EXA 2-05a / EXA 2-07a Older pupils may discuss the idea that sculptures are often built as a celebration or a tribute to an event or person in the past. What do The Kelpies celebrate? LIT 1-04a / LIT 1-14a LIT 2-04a / LIT 2-14a The Kelpies are modelled on two Clydesdale horses who Pupils may discuss the worked for Glasgow City Council: Duke and Baron.